Theatre preview: “The Book of Mormon,” the Broadway smash from the “South Park” creators, finally arrives in Columbus

It seems as if everyone has been gleefully awaiting one of the most popular and talked-about Broadway musicals’ appearance in Columbus. “The Book of Mormon” — created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (“South Park”), and Robert Lopez (“Avenue Q”) — won nine Tony Awards (including Best Musical), and has been widely praised by critics and audiences.

“The Book of Mormon” is centered on two young, idealistic Mormon missionaries — Elder Price (Mark Evans) and Elder Cunningham (Christopher John O'Neill) — who set out to a war-torn Uganda. The naïve young men don’t understand why they can’t connect with the African villagers, who’re more concerned with famine, AIDS and the malevolent tyranny of a local warlord.

As the devout and extensively knowledgeable Elder Price fails to indoctrinate the villagers with his scripture, Elder Cunningham, who’s never even read the Book, combines pop culture/sci-fi stories with what little he knows about the religion, and it surprisingly clicks with the villagers.